18 St. Marnock’s athletes from 5th and 6th classes took part in the first indoor inter-schools competition in Abbotstown on Tuesday 13th of March. The competition was held in the new Indoor arena which has a 200 metre track, a long jump pit and high jump and shot putt areas . The girl’s and boy’s teams took part in 60m hurdles and sprints, 600m, relay, shot putt and long jump. Points were awarded to the school for medals won in each event. There were 17 other schools entered in the competition. Many of these schools have a keen interest in Athletics, with many coaches/teachers who run with clubs in attendance.
It was many of the children’s first time in the arena and they were suitably impressed when they first entered. The arena looks very new and has a nice blue Mondo track. There was even a warm up track at the side of the actual track. The hurdles were the first track event and the shot putt started on the infield.
Naomi McCullagh qualified from her heat after a very convincing race. Unfortunately she didn’t place in the final but she was happy to qualify. Cian Bolger ran well in his heat but didn’t qualify for his final.
In the 60m sprints, Fintan Derry qualified convincingly from his heat and went on to come third in the final. Fintan specialises in sprinting with Portmarnock AC so he was delighted to get a medal, presented by Irish Olympian and retired teacher, Gerry Kiernan.
In the girls 60m heats, Shauna Doyle ran well but didn’t qualify unfortunately.
In the boys 600m, a searing pace was set from the outset by the lead pack. Our runner, Callum Reid did his best to hang onto their coat tails but the fast pace was maintained and Callum came a creditable 7th in the end.
In the girls long distance, Ciara Brogan had a great start to the race but again, there were some experienced long distance girls present and they set a fast pace from the get go.
In the boy’s relay heats (200m, 100m, 200m, 100m) we had a great start with Callum Marshall holding his own in third until another runner crossed over him with 30m to go. This knocked him off his stride a little and he handed over to Robert Burns in fourth or fifth. Robert rallied well but it wasn’t looking to good when he handed over to Matthew Reen who also did his best but we were out of contention by this stage. Dylan Beed was disappointed that he didn’t get to display his impressive turn of speed up the home straight.
In the girls relay heats, Gloria Juchneviciute had a storming start and handed over to Ava Sheehy in second. Ava also had a great run and handed over to Alannah Tuite in third. Alannah held her own and we finished with a great run by Emma Lynagh who crossed the line in third. This meant that we qualified for the relay finals! The girls ran well again in the final but alas were just outside the medals in fourth. This is definitely a team to watch for Santry school sports and the experience will be invaluable for them.
While all this was going on, Ellie Tobin and Andrew Comiskey were competing in the long jump and Rosmarie Gavin in the Shot Putt. Ellie jumped very well and came a very admirable fourth. Andrew jumped very well too but didn’t medal.
With all this activity on the track we had forgotten to keep an eye on Shot Putt proceedings so when Rosemarie came to tell us that she had come second, it was a huge boost to the whole St. Marnock’s team. She was beaming and mounted the podium with great pride!
We knew from the outset that competition here in Abbottstown was going to be stiff, considering the talent on show. However we were very glad to come away with two medals. The experience will stand all the athletes in good stead when it comes to competing in Santry school sports in May. We hope that this event will become an annual one so we can compete every year.
